Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to predict pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study hopes to identify risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistulae in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy. METHODS: The study group was composed of 39 patients who had undergone distal pancreatectomy between January 2000 and June 2008. Fourteen presumed risk factors were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Pancreatic fistula developed in 10 patients (25.6%). Pancreatic fibrosis estimated by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was the only predictor of pancreatic fistula formation after distal pancreatectomy (p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative evaluation of pancreatic fibrosis by dynamic MRI can provide reliable and objective information for predicting the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy.